New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-30
IUDGE A. C MONSON

Every man who follows racing ought to recognize
this likeness Age, near sixty. Height, inch or two
under six teet Weight close to 200 pounds Straight
rs an arrow. High instep and walks like king
Shoulders square and bead erect. Heavy, almost
leOnine cOnntenance-sduare jaw, firm chin resolute
lips philosophio nose steady, penetrating eye under
bushv eyebrows broad, creased forehead, close
cropped, steel-gray mustache. Hair thick and
extremely dark for an elderly Clothes dark and
OF the latest out. Eyeglasses: Can laugh with the
nierricst and frown with the sternest.
As the American Jockey Club has In ID. ID. Wthers
authority Oh racing rules, so it has in Judge A. c.
Monsoon authority on law. general ard special. He
represents tho legal standing OF the association and
lends to 1t tho jndcia. dignity he acquired upon the
bench In California Judge Monson, voe-I resident.
the American Jockey Club for twenty years. Is .
Forty-nJner The fever struck him thirty wears
ago just as it did all the rest and lie went to the
shovel, but with the practice of law And he hung
out his single in the village of Sacramento as well
prepared accept nuggets for retxners as any Young
lawyer who adjusted q mining claim tor he was a
graduate of Columbia College ana Yale Law School,
had studied in tho Offices in this city, OF Ambrose
10 the bar when only twenty years of age. Then too
he had practsed for four years at tho NewYork bar
IN partnership with his brother. law Robert H.
Morris, man prominent In municipal affairs, having
been Mayor and Postmaster Of he city. Young
honson made rapid upward studies in his profession
in the Golden State. In 1852, at the aye OF twenty
seven, he appointed by the Governor, Honest
John biger." to FIJI vacsncy in the Win JUDICIAL
District Court and year later Was elected by tho
had expired Governor johnson appointed him to the
Supreme Court 1S57) the highest in the State
but after some hesitation the dignity was declined
and the Judge at the earnest solicitation of his family
returned to NewYork In 1858 he visited Europe
and two years later again in California practising
law. But he babe the State farewell in 1868 aud
settled permanently in this city, gentleman of
leisure, with little more to do than dispose OF
Portable income in the enjoyment Of life among host
o: friends that was growing larger every year.
In 1865 Judge Monson met Mr.. Withers ana
passing acquaintance between the two wealthy
bachelors rpened into friendship which may almost
be likened to that existing between Schnucko and
Pons which Balzac has imortazed. Together they
Joined the A nerican Jockey Club and together they
have followed the turf ever since. PAIR OF wslking
encyclopedias all matters that pertain to the lace
track The chief distinction between them IS that one
owns race horses and the other does not but then,
Judge Monson enjoys seeing his friends colors speed
ing along the fat ~ much If they were his own.
Judge Monson is firm believer in the future
prosperity of the American turf Racing in the East
however, Is bound to suffer. no thinks unless the
betting troubles arc satisfactorily settled. Not only
viii the public quit the tracks, but the best horses will
60 West and remain there where such troubles do not
exist There has been talk OF introducing In the
Legislature bill that viii put quetus on tho present
laws, but the Judge does not speak hopefully on the
subject In fact the various racing associations have
not yet come to any understanding.